Useful guide to Dementia

Dementia: through their eyes offers guidance on how to deliver person centred care to people whose lives have been affected by dementia. Providing people with practical tips on communicating, eating well and improving wellbeing plus advice on assistive technology and creative therapies. It provides the reader with a compelling, informative and easy to understand resource, helping people better understand how to communicate and care for people with dementia.

Educating and providing people with useful tips on how to care for the ones closest to them could make a huge difference and change their lives for the better.

Understanding dementia

The Guide seeks to educate people to about the different types of dementia noting that dementia is a “collection of syndromes resulting from damage to the brain” (page 3), with Alzheimer’s being the most common type, covering the common functions which can be affect by dementia including memory, thinking speed, mental agility, understanding and judgement.

The Guide highlights that although these symptoms are common amongst most individuals with dementia, the rate of progression varies from person to person and is dependent on the type of dementia, as well as the overall health and lifestyle of the individual. The Guide encourages anyone who is concerned about dementia to seek help by talking to their GP.

Feelings more important than facts

The Guide explains that it often becomes difficult for people with dementia to store new factual information. Noting that the feelings that a person experiences do continue to be stored as normal. Therefore a person with dementia will always know how they are feeling, but they may not know why. The guide quotes Christine Bryden, diagnosed at age 46 with Alzheimer’s Disease; “As we become more emotional and less cognitive, it’s the way you talk to us, not what you say, that we remember”. (page 4)

In the absence of recent factual memories, people with dementia are likely to search for much older factual memories, possibly from youth, to help make sense of their current situation. The guide offers tips on how to effectively communicate with the person, mentioning the importance of creating a calm and relaxed environment, and joining the reality the person is living in rather than contradicting them.

Adopt a ‘Person-First’ approach

The useful guide states we must adapt to a ‘person-first approach’ in the household. Pam Schweitzer (1998, page 4) proposes that looking through family photos, listening to familiar music and visiting memorable places; may help sustain a better relationship between family and person, as well as carer. This helps the person feel at ease by reminiscing about happy memories.

The SPECAL® method, this person centred approach can greatly improve wellbeing and quality of life as well as strength your relationship with your loved one through positive communication techniques.

Avoid asking direct questions

It is important to avoid asking direct question that require factual information, this increases awareness of their disability which in return causes more stress and grief.

Listen to the expert

It’s important to listen to what the person affected is saying, to base our questions and answers from their perspective; any information they receive should generate good feelings for them.

Do not contradict

It’s important to not argue with them, we must not sidetrack them from pre-dementia memories, as they are used to make sense of the current moment. We must support and validate what they are saying as being correct.

Assistive Technology And Examples (page 6)

The Guide promotes the use of assistive technology as an aid for greater autonomy.

Helpful technology includes:

Taking tracking devices on walks, which allow patients to have a greater sense of independence

Telecare sensors to monitor the person and can notify a nominated person or call centre if they have fallen or have left home during the night

Introducing adapted versions of household appliances such as doorbells and telephones with larger buttons and bolder colours

It is important to note assistive technology is more effective when introduced in the early stages of dementia; gradual introduction of these technologies can prevent confusion. The guide also states assistive technology is best when combined with a ‘person-centred’ care service.

Explore dementia patients’ creative abilities (page 7)

The Guide notes that; “people’s aesthetic and imaginative responses remain strong, music and art can be a positive and energising experience.”

Arts 4 Dementia have successfully organised events with arts venues, encouraging people with dementia to take part in art, music, dance and drama events around the country. The guide states that “attendees have remained energised, happy and stress-free for sometime afterwards, with 94% still benefiting overnight and 60% benefiting for a week or more.

“The creative part of the brain can remain undamaged for years” – Veronica Franklin Gould, CEO of Arts 4 Dementia

Staying active and keeping healthy

The Guide notes the importance of physical activity for people with dementia, offering suggestions on types of activities which promote happiness and wellbeing. The guide explains that walking the dog or gardening helps to maintain a connection to normal life, retain skills and improve sleep, appetite, circulation and digestion.

The Guide also states that people with dementia can have a preference for sweeter foods, finger foods and regular snacks as smaller portions are often more appealing.

Bringing carers into the home (page 13)

The Guide recommends that care is provided in a familiar environment such as the home; here a person can receive an unrivalled level of support through one-to- one live in care, whilst also continuing to enjoy their independence.

The guide informs us of the type of care one would receive, stating “Carers using a ‘person-centred’ approach will deliver holistic care, taking into account personal and emotional needs, in addition to practical and medical tasks they may need help with.

What distinguishes The Guide ‘Dementia: through their eyes’ is that it offers different ways of thinking and understanding the person with dementia, and provides information and practical tips to help support the person with dementia live better, happier and more productive lives. The guide encourages good practice and explores dementia from the perspective of the individual.

This helpful guide offers a wealth of in-depth content, that also answers questions concerning sleeping patterns, medical support, funding and have listed a number of relevant resources, and organisations to support those affected by dementia.